Comelec: 9.6 M voters may be disenfranchised in 2016

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – At least 9.6 million voters might be disenfranchised in the 2016 elections if they fail to undergo biometrics registration.

Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said the 9.6 million voters have to validate with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for biometrics registration for them to be able to vote in 2016.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Brillantes said they are expecting some 2.3 million more new registrants for the 2016 elections. 

The country has around 53 million voters and 9.6 million have not yet undergone biometrics registration.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said under Republic Act 10367, the Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act of 2013, voters will not be able to vote in 2016 unless their biometrics data such as digital signatures, photographs and finger prints are with the Comelec.

“A lot of people will be disenfranchised and we don’t want that to happen,” he said.

Jimenez said they intend to make a stop in every town when  Comelec personnel and volunteers  walk from Laoag City to Manila from May 6 to June 1, to do lectures on voter’s registration and to give out information materials.

“We will encourage people to have their voter’s registration validated,” he said. “They have to make sure that their biometrics are already with us. Validation is important.” 

After June 1, the Comelec will resume the walk with Sorsogon as destination.

Jimenez said the Comelec is also set to do a major voter’s registration drive in Tarlac for   indigenous peoples and in Rizal Park for people with disability.

“We are doing these activities to reach out to the people directly on one level that is personal,” he said. “We hope that this will be seen by people in other parts of the country and they will be encouraged to register and validate their registration.”

Brillantes and Comelec Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph, Christian Robert Lim, Grace Padaca, Al Parreño and Luie Guia have been meeting in Baguio City since Tuesday.

They aim to get 100 percent of the 9.6 million to undergo biometrics registration. 

Brillantes said under a new law, biometrics registration is now mandatory. – With Sheila Crisostomo